Friday, November 2, 2012

Today I am making a special plea to support recovery from Hurricane Sandy, the most devastating natural
disaster to affect millions of Americans. When disasters hit everywhere in the world it is expected
the U.S. will come to the rescue, and yes we do. This time I also call upon our International readers to come
to our rescue and support relief of our people. I know some of the most influential government and corporate leadership in the travel industry read Travelore so I also call upon your support. Below I am providing details provided to the media:

WASHINGTON, Friday, November 2, 2012 — The American Red Cross has a massive response to Superstorm Sandy underway to help people across multiple states.

“As we learn about neighborhoods in need, the Red Cross is immediately putting plans in place to provide people with food, water and relief supplies,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. “This is a challenging time for everyone who has been affected by the storm and we want everyone to know that we are doing everything possible to get help to them as quickly as possible.”

MASSIVE RESPONSE Nearly 6,800 people spent Thursday night in almost 100 Red Cross shelters in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Thousands more are in their homes without power, water or heat. More than 3,800 Red Cross disaster workers are operating shelters, distributing food and relief supplies in affected communities and providing health services and emotional support.

The Red Cross has:

Deployed 12 mobile kitchens capable of making 198,000 meals a day and shipped more than 852,000 ready-to-eat meals to the area. Almost 215,000 meals have been served so far.

Activated more than two-thirds of the entire Red Cross fleet of response vehicles, which are beginning to distribute meals, water, snacks and relief supplies in neighborhoods.

Deployed specialized workers who have already provided more than 5,000 health services and emotional support contacts to people affected by Sandy.

The Mexican Red Cross is also helping. Ten delegates are supporting American Red Cross health services activities in New York, focusing on providing health care and first aid services and referrals for clients in Red Cross shelters and emergency aid stations.

HOW TO HELP The Red Cross response to Sandy is very large, and will be very costly. People can make a financial donation in support of Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. They can also use the “donate” feature on the free Red Cross Apps for mobile devices to support this relief response. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD More than 360 Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled due to the storm, representing a loss of as many as 12,000 blood and platelet products. People who are eligible, especially in places not affected by the storm, are asked to schedule a donation appointment in the days and weeks to come.

To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visitredcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To give blood, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.

About Me

I (Allen Barkus) am the publisher of the Travelore Report newsletter, published monthly in print since 1971, with an 80,000 monthly paid circulation. This blog has also become one of the influential travel blogs in the industry with almost 175,000 views monthly. Our focus is on upscale value-added travel and travel related products and services worldwide. Since our lead time to print is typically at least three months, this blog allows us to keep our worldwide press contacts, paid subscribers @$68/yearly and general public aware of our editorial focus. Only paid subscribers get all of our detailed Destination Reports.
The Travelore Report is a publication of the Ted Barkus Company, ranked as one of the leading independent advertising and marketing communications companies in the U.S. by Advertising Age Magazine.
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